A total sum of VND 10 billion has so far been committed to fund the upcoming biannual Hue festival in central Thua Thien-Hue province, said the Hue Festival Centre Director Nguyen Duy Hien.

The funding is triple the figure for the previous festival in 2006, the director said. It includes the generous sum of VND 800 million from the Vietnam Industrial Commercial Bank under an agreement signed on May 18.

The festival will also receive funding for specific events such as the ao dai show supported by the Vietnam Textile and Garment Group.

The successful organisation of the biannual festival since 2000 has lead Hue imperial city to receive government approval to become Vietnam’s first official festival city, a trademark which the city hopes to develop to attract more visitors. (VNA)